Needle Loom Technology Overview introduces definitions, principles, applications, and industry trends, guiding engineers and decision-makers. A needle loom is a shuttleless weaving machine that efficiently produces narrow fabrics such as elastic bands, shoelaces, seat belts, and industrial webbings. Compared to shuttle looms, it offers compact design, higher speed, and lower maintenance; compared to jacquard looms, it suits functional fabric mass production. With smart manufacturing and sustainability, needle looms advance toward electronic warp let-off, data collection, and MES/ERP integration. Kyang Yhe (KY) OBJ::name# Introduction. Product patent and development technical skills for High Speed Needle Loom Machine, and machine model diversification and high structural stability, and follow customer demand customized.. Manufacturing Needle Loom Machine and international managing experience with professional technical skill more than 60 years.
Needle Loom Technology Overview introduces definitions, principles, applications, and industry trends, guiding engineers and decision-makers. A needle loom is a shuttleless weaving machine that efficiently produces narrow fabrics such as elastic bands, shoelaces, seat belts, and industrial webbings. Compared to shuttle looms, it offers compact design, higher speed, and lower maintenance; compared to jacquard looms, it suits functional fabric mass production. With smart manufacturing and sustainability, needle looms advance toward electronic warp let-off, data collection, and MES/ERP integration.
A needle loom is a shuttleless weaving machine specifically designed for producing narrow fabrics, commonly used for seat belts, shoelaces, elastic bands, industrial slings, and various decorative tapes. Unlike traditional shuttle looms, the needle loom inserts the weft yarn through a “weft needle,” replacing the heavy shuttle movement. This design results in a more compact structure that maintains stable operation at high speeds, making it suitable for long-term continuous production of narrow fabrics. Its advantages include high efficiency, low maintenance requirements, and consistent fabric quality, which is why it is widely applied in the manufacturing of functional and industrial webbings.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Elastic & Non-elastic tapes | Underwear, sportswear, medical bandages |
| Consumer ribbons | Shoelaces, grosgrain, satin ribbons |
| Home textiles | Sofa belts, mattress tapes, curtain headings |
| Industrial webbings | Ratchet straps, lifting slings, safety harnesses, seat belts |
| Item |
Needle Loom |
Shuttle Loom |
Jacquard Loom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Narrow fabrics: seat belts, shoelaces | Wide fabrics (general textiles) | Decorative patterns, branding |
| Weft Insertion | Weft needle (shuttleless) | Shuttle movement | Electronic/mechanical jacquard control |
| Productivity | High (1800–2500 rpm) | Medium (800–1200 rpm) | Low–Medium (pattern dependent) |
| Maintenance | Low, lightweight parts | High, frequent shuttle wear | Medium–High, requires setup |
| Best Suited For | Functional narrow webbings | General fabric weaving | Complex patterns, decorative textiles |
Industrial slings (6–8 mm thick, >150 mm wide) require heavy-duty machines; shoelaces (5–10 mm wide) are best suited for multi-tape angled looms.
For large-scale production of industrial slings, heavy-duty models are recommended; for decorative ribbons or elastic bands used in garments, high-speed multi-tape machines are more suitable.
Speed (rpm) ÷ Weft density (pick/cm) × Meters per hour × Number of tapes × 0.85 loss factor = Estimated output for non-elastic webbings
Common consumables include weft needles, guides, reeds, and belts. When a weft needle wears beyond 0.1 mm, defect rates increase significantly. Regular checks every 500–800 operating hours are recommended.
Electronic warp let-off and electronic pick density control replace traditional gear systems, reducing stoppage marks and tension fluctuations. Smart weaving factories integrate IoT and MES systems to enable real-time monitoring of machine status and production analysis.
Kyang Yhe (KY), founded in 1964 in Taiwan, manufactures high-quality textile machinery. We specialize in narrow fabric jacquard looms, high-speed needle looms, heavy-duty weaving, braiding, and crochet machines. Get OEM/ODM customization, fast quotations, short lead times, and global service.
Our industrial machines run fast and stable, with easy maintenance. Applications include elastic and ribbon tapes, safety belts, luggage belts, and hook-and-loop. The lineup covers needle looms, narrow fabric weaving machines, label printing machines, and more—built for efficient, consistent production.
With 60+ years of experience, KY provides installation, training, spare parts, and after-sales support. Talk to our engineers today—request a free consultation or quote to choose the right machine for your line.
